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Artist Spotlight

Romance is in the Air with Pam Ross’ “In Your Smile”

“Pam Ross’ “In Your Smile” is a romantic song that captures a moment of profound connection and realization between two people. The lyrics describe a scene where the narrator and their partner are walking along the beach, sharing laughs and a significant first kiss. This moment sparks a deep recognition in the narrator, who envisions a future together, filled with love and shared experiences. The chorus emphasizes this vision of a future found in the partner’s smile, suggesting a relationship that transcends the temporary and becomes a lasting commitment.

The song explores themes of love, connection, and the future. It’s imbued with a sense of optimism and hope, focusing on the potential for a lasting relationship. The imagery of footprints fading in the wet sand and the sunset-colored dreams add a layer of ephemeral beauty, contrasting with the eternal nature of the love the narrator feels. The mood is tender and hopeful, capturing the bliss of finding someone who makes you envision a shared future.

The imagery in “In Your Smile” is vivid and romantic, from the footprints in the wet sand to the sunset-colored dreams. These images create a picturesque setting for the love story, enhancing the song’s emotional depth. The key message is that true love offers a glimpse into the future, a promise of enduring happiness that is visible in the simplest of moments, like a smile.

For further exploration of similar themes and mood, consider the following artists and works check out Ed Sheeran, especially songs like “Thinking Out Loud,” which also explores enduring love; Taylor Swift, whose songwriting often captures the nuances of relationships and emotional depth; and John Legend, particularly his song “All of Me,” which delves into deep love and acceptance.

“In Your Smile” by Pam Ross emerges as a testament to the power of simplicity in music. Through its minimalistic production, the song emphasizes the emotional depth and authenticity of its lyrics and melodies, allowing them to take center stage. This decision to prioritize the raw emotional essence over complex instrumentation creates an intimate listening experience that deeply connects with the audience.

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Pam Ross’ vocal performance is a key element of this connection. Her ability to convey joy, liberation, and genuine emotion through her singing brings the song’s heartfelt message to life, making it not just heard but truly felt by listeners. Her vocals, characterized by their ability to navigate tender verses and soaring choruses with ease, serve as the perfect vehicle for the song’s emotional journey.

The song’s arrangement, focusing on the gentle interplay of acoustic elements, further enhances its intimate and authentic vibe. It’s a musical choice that proves less can indeed be more, stripping back layers to reveal the song’s true emotional core. By doing so, “In Your Smile” becomes a sanctuary of simplicity in an often overly produced musical landscape, celebrating the beauty and power of emotional honesty in music.

Pam Ross’ decision to keep the production understated is a bold statement on the importance of staying true to the essence of a song. It’s a reminder that the true power of music lies not in its complexity but in its ability to connect, communicate, and resonate on a deeply personal level. “In Your Smile” stands out as a refreshing and timeless piece, reminding us of the enduring value of sincerity and emotional connection in music.

–Steve Jenkins

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Artist Spotlight

Who’s Making the Most Money on Spotify in 2025?

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In 2025, Spotify conquers the music streaming world, with 500+ million monthly paying subscribers globally. Considering the platform paid out $10 billion in royalties, a record high, during 2024, it’s evident that streaming is now a revenue stream for artists. Yet only a few musicians are making good money from it.

At the top of the list is Drake, whose 21.5 billion streams yield around $52.5 million. Next up is J Balvin, with $37.9 million this year, a clean-up job from his massive streaming numbers. Other artists who earned significant amounts included Post Malone, Ariana Grande, and Bad Bunny, each featured among the platform’s top earners.

In electronic music, the Chainsmokers had 7.2 billion streams and made $17.7 million, and Calvin Harris made $14 million. The first-place finisher among the grossers is Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” which earned $6.6 million from 2.7 billion streams.

Although these numbers are impressive, most artists on Spotify receive a much lower payday. In its 2024 Loud & Clear report, Spotify found that only 4.4% of artists make at least $131,000 annually. On average, an artist in the bottom 98.6% of earners makes just $12 monthly. This difference underscores the difficulties many musicians face in the streaming age.

Dead artists are still having a real impact on Spotify. Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, and Aim for the Moon have 8.51 billion streams, £29.29m, 6.79 billion streams, and £23.37 million in earnings with Juice WRLD’s “Legends Never Die.” Lil Peep and The Notorious B.I.G. are also proving influential, with their music still raking in significant amounts of money.

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Spotify’s global platform has allowed artists to perform in front of audiences beyond their home countries. In 2024, most artists who earned at least $1,000 in royalties made most of their revenue through international listeners, at over 50%. Since 2017, the number of female artists grossing over $1 million per year has quadrupled, signaling greater diversity and representation in the music industry.

The few artists who do make millions from Spotify streams get 1 %, while the 1% of artists get funds. Only a handful of artists are financially rewarded through it, even as the platform’s continued global reach and growing diversity create opportunities for emergent practitioners.

Let me know what you thought of this post in the comments if you found this article interesting!

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Artist Spotlight

Kayla Marque lights a fire with “Slow Burn”

Kayla Marque

Kayla Marque has returned with a new single, “Slow Burn,” a simmering, soul-passionate affair that holds you well past when the last notes die out. True to her endlessly evolving artistry, Marque serves up something future-facing and thoughtful, stitching together a grunge-adjacent bassline with ethereal melodies and haunting vocal dynamics.

Right from the outset, “Slow Burn” sucks you into its smoky milieu. The measured bassline sounds plucked from the ‘90s alt-rock golden age and dunked in modern, velvety skin. But Marque’s voice brings center stage, fluent, forceful, and emotionally detailed. She doesn’t only sing; she tells stories, whispers, and wails, and her approach lends the music an astonishing contrast between restraint and release.

As the song progresses, there’s something undeniably mesmerizing about how the instrumentation interacts with the vocals. The melodies shimmer like heat off the pavement, entrapping listeners in a hypnotic haze that feels at once intimate and cinematic. Marque displays not only her vocal range but also her emotional depth. Every note feels deliberate, and every word feels lived-in.

What’s so exciting about “Slow Burn” is how it feels like another chapter in a broader story. Kayla Marque has consistently refused to settle into a single groove, and this track demonstrates that she’s continuing to push limits and defy expectations. There’s a rawness here, an audacity that doesn’t plead for attention but commands it regardless. It’s a song that reveals more textures and emotions after every listen. “Slow Burn” is a vibe, a feeling, a statement. It’s another step in Kayla Marque’s evolution as an artist, and if this is what’s to come, we’re in for something special.

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